Roasted Plums with Star Anise and Vanilla Ice Cream Recipe
This recipe for Roasted Plums transforms ripe but firm plums into a luscious, caramelized dessert infused with the warm, aromatic flavor of star anise. Roasting brings out the natural sweetness of the fruit, complemented by a light sprinkle of brown sugar and served with creamy vanilla ice cream or your choice of whipped cream, crème fraîche, or fresh ricotta. It's an elegant yet simple dish perfect for a quick, satisfying dessert.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Total Time: 25 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
For the Roasted Plums
- Unsalted butter (for greasing the baking dish)
- 8 ripe but firm black plums, halved and pitted
- 1 tablespoon light or dark brown sugar
- 8 whole star anise, lightly crushed (plus a few whole pods for garnish, optional)
For Serving
- Vanilla ice cream (or whipped cream, crème fraîche, or fresh ricotta)
Instructions
- Preheat and prepare dish: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C). Lightly butter a baking dish just large enough to fit the plum halves in a single layer to prevent sticking.
- Arrange plums and add flavorings: Place the plum halves cut side up in the prepared dish. Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar over them, then scatter the lightly crushed star anise pieces on top to infuse flavor as they roast.
- Roast the plums: Place the dish in the oven and roast the plums for about 15 to 20 minutes, until the sugar dissolves, plums are warmed through, and their skins start to wrinkle, signaling caramelization and softness.
- Cool the fruit: Remove the dish from the oven and allow the plums to cool for 5 minutes in the baking dish, letting the flavors settle and the juices thicken slightly.
- Serve the dessert: Discard the cooked star anise pieces. Arrange two plum halves in each dessert bowl, add a scoop of vanilla ice cream or your preferred creamy topping, and spoon some of the rich crimson juices over the top. Garnish with a whole star anise pod if desired, and serve immediately for the best experience.
Notes
- Choose ripe but firm plums to ensure they hold their shape during roasting and develop a tender, juicy texture.
- You can substitute light brown sugar with dark brown sugar for a deeper molasses flavor or even use coconut sugar for a different sweetness profile.
- Star anise adds a lovely aromatic note but can be omitted if unavailable; alternatively, a cinnamon stick can be used.
- Serve this dessert warm or at room temperature depending on preference.
- Pairing with vanilla ice cream enhances the contrast between warm and cold for a delightful treat.